Gun magazine

ABSTRACT

An ammunition clip is provided for supplying cartridges to a gun. The ammunition clip includes an elongated housing having an internal chamber for holding a plurality of laterally aligned cartridges, said elongated housing having a gun engagement end and an opposing end, a moveable carriage disposed within the internal chamber for urging the aligned cartridges towards the gun engagement end and a resilient member coupled to the moveable carriage and adapted to pull the moveable carriage towards the gun engagement end.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention relates to firearms and more particularly to ammunition clips for firearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Ammunition clips (magazines) for firearms are widely used. Such clips often hold large numbers of cartridges and are often associated with automatic and semi-automatic weapons. The ease and speed with which an empty clip can be replaced with a full clip makes the use of ammunition clips very popular with the police, the armed forces and gun hobbyists, in general.

[0003] Gun clips are typically constructed with an elongated housing that, in the case of a handgun, is adapted to be inserted into a handle. In the case of a rifle one end of the housing engaging the gun and the other, lower end extending downward. The lower end is frequently used as a handle.

[0004] Cartridges are typically loaded from the gun end and are usually inserted cross-wise to the elongation of the housing. A spring underneath the cartridges is compressed by insertion of each cartridge and functions to urge the loaded cartridges towards the gun breech during firing.

[0005] While existing gun clips work well, their spring mechanisms are unnecessarily complex. In order to maximize the number of cartridges that a clip holds, the spring is required to have a very low profile and to occupy a relatively small volume at the bottom of the clip when the clip is full loaded. Because of the importance of gun clips a need exists for a more space efficient spring mechanism.

SUMMARY

[0006] An ammunition clip is provided for supplying cartridges to a gun. The ammunition clip includes an elongated housing having an internal chamber for holding a plurality of laterally aligned cartridges, said elongated housing having a gun engagement end and an opposing end, a moveable carriage disposed within the internal chamber for urging the aligned cartridges towards the gun engagement end and a resilient member coupled to the moveable carriage and adapted to pull the moveable carriage towards the gun engagement end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ammunition clip under an illustrated embodiment of the invention shown in a context of use;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a cut away view of the ammunition clip of FIG. 1 under a first embodiment;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the activation mechanism of FIG. 2 under an alternate embodiment;

[0010]FIGS. 4a-b are side and end views of the activation mechanism of FIG. 2 under another alternate embodiment;

[0011]FIG. 5 is an end view of the activation mechanism of FIG. 2 under another embodiment;

[0012]FIG. 6 is an end view of the activation mechanism of FIG. 2 under another embodiment;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a side view of the activation mechanism of FIG. 2 under another embodiments;

[0014] FIGS. 8-11 are schematic views of the activation mechanism of FIG. 7 under other embodiments;

[0015]FIG. 12 depicts the clip 10 of FIG. 1 under an alternate embodiment adapted for a handgun; and

[0016]FIG. 13 depicts of the clip of FIG. 1 under an alternate embodiment of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

[0017]FIG. 1 is a side view of a gun with an ammunition magazine (clip) 10 shown generally under an illustrated embodiment of the invention. While the side view of FIG. 1 depicts the use of the novel clip 10 in conjunction with a rifle, it should be understood that the clip 10 may be used with a handgun or any other type of firearm.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view (FIG. 2a) and end view (FIG. 2b) of the clip 10 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the clip 10 has an elongated shape that, when engaged with a firearm at a gun end (top of FIG. 2), extends downward away from the breech of the gun towards an opposing end. In the case of a handgun, the clip 10 may fit entirely within the handle. In the case of a rifle shown in FIG. 1 most of the clip lies outside the gun. Within the clip 10 is a receptacle 12 for ammunition (one cartridge 14 is shown within the receptacle 12).

[0019] Included within the clip is a moveable carriage 16 that (as cartridges 14 are removed from the clip 10 by operation of the gun or otherwise) moves upwards under the influence of a set of resilient members (e.g. cords) 20, 22 to urge the cartridges 14 towards the gun breech. As shown, one or more resilient cords 20, 22 may be provided on one or both ends of the moveable carriage 16. While the resilient cords 20, 22 may be described as being disposed on opposing ends, it should be understood that the cords 20, 22 may just as easily be disposed on opposing sides (or on only a single side) of the clip 10.

[0020] Each end of the moveable carriage 16 may be provided with cord engagement pegs 24, 26. The cord engagement pegs 24, 26 may extend outside the receptacle 12 and engage the cords 20, 22 through a slot 36 disposed in the end walls of the clip 10.

[0021] A set of loop-back pegs 28, 30, 32, 34 may be provided at the gun end of the clip 10. As shown, a first pair of pegs 28, 30 are disposed on opposing sides of the slot 36 on the gun end of the clip 10 in FIG. 2b and a second pair of pegs 32, 34 are disposed on opposing sides of a corresponding slot on an opposing side of the clip 10. The pegs 28, 30, 32, 34 may be stationary or may be provided with capstans or tapered pulleys on bearings for purposes of reducing friction.

[0022] It should be noted that the front and back sidewalls that bound the enclosure 12 extend past the endwalls in which the slot 36 is located. The extension is of a length substantially equal the thickness of the cords and pegs engaging the cords. The extension of the sidewalls past the endwalls forms a pocket that protects the cords and pegs thereby ensuring unimpeded operation of the mechanism of the clip 10 during normal use.

[0023] Each cord 20, 22 may be fabricated from any of a number of existing resilient materials (e.g., rubber bands, bungie cord material, elongated coil springs etc.). Further, the cords may be formed of two separate sections 20, 22 (i.e., one on each side of the clip 10) as shown in FIG. 2 or the cords 20, 22 may be part a single loop where a first portion of the loop is depicted by cord 22, a second portion by cord 20 and the respective ends of cords 20, 22 join across the bottom of the clip 10.

[0024] Where the resilient members 20, 22 are separate, the opposite ends of the cords 20, 22 may be secured to the opposing end of the clip 10 by any appropriate attachment structure (e.g., clips, glue, etc.) 38. As shown in FIG. 2, each cord 20, 22 may have its opposing ends held stationary by attachment 38. In contrast, the center section of the cord 20, 22 functions to pull the moveable carriage 16 towards the gun end of the clip 10.

[0025] As cartridges 14 are used, the moveable carriage 16 moves upwards. As the moveable carriage 16 moves upwards, the center section of the cords 20, 22 also move upwards. As the center section of the cords 20, 22 moves upwards, material of the cords 20, 22 moves over the loop-back pegs 28, 30, 32, 34 equalizing tension along the continuous cord sections that passes over the pegs 28, 30, 32, 34.

[0026] Under another illustrated embodiment (FIG. 3a-b), the center section of the cord 20, 22 is attached to the clip housing and the ends are attached to the moveable carriage. For simplicity, FIGS. 3a-b only show the cords 21, 22 and supporting pegs. Under the embodiment of FIG. 3, the moveable carriage 16 is provided with a peg 52, 54 in each of its four opposing corners. A corresponding set of slots 36 may be provided in each endwall to accommodate the pegs 52, 54. A stationary peg 50 is attached to the opposing end of the clip 10.

[0027]FIG. 3a shows the cords 20, 21 as they would be with the clip 10 full of cartridges 14. FIG. 3b shows the cords 20, 21 as they would be if the clip was empty.

[0028]FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment in which the cords 20, 22 are replaced by a resilient cord combination 60, 62 made of a continuous elastic material (e.g., rubber) with a variable cross-section that may include a central section 60 with a relatively thick cross-section and end sections 62 with relatively thin cross-sections and where the ratio of thin to thick cross-sections may have some predetermined ratio (e.g., 1 to 4). The cord combination 60, 62 may also be provided as a two-piece assembly, that includes a first resilient portion 60 having a relatively low modulus of elasticity (e.g., rubber) and a second relatively inelastic portion 62 having a relatively high modulus of elasticity (e.g., nylon). FIG. 4a is an end view of and FIG. 4b is a side view. As above, FIGS. 4a and 4 b only depict details of the cords 60, 62 and pegs 28, 30, 32, 34 necessary for an understanding of the invention.

[0029] As with FIG. 3, the moveable carriage 16 used in the case of FIG. 4 would be provided with pegs 52, 54 in opposing four corners of the carriage 16. Opposing ends of the relatively inelastic portion 62 are adapted to engage those pegs 52, 54. The center of the inelastic portion 62 passes through the ends of the resilient portion 60. The resilient portion 60 may be provided in a form that resembles a wide rubber band with a center portion that extends around the opposing end of the clip 10. For purposes of clarification, the ends of the resilient portion 60 of FIG. 4 may be disposed parallel to the slots 36 that would lie on either side of the resilient portion.

[0030] It may be noted that the less resilient nature of the inelastic portion 62 allows the top 64 of the resilient portion 60 (shown in FIG. 4a) to be used as an indicator of the remaining cartridges 14 within the clip 10. More specifically, indicators (e.g., FULL, 50%, 0%, etc.) may be placed along the margins of the endwall.

[0031]FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment that is somewhat similar in operation to that of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 includes a resilient cord combination including a first set of relatively inelastic cords 74, 76 and a second set of resilient cords 70, 72. The first set of cords 74, 76 may be of a relatively inelastic material (e.g., nylon), or highly elastic and the second set of cords 70, 72 may be coil springs.

[0032] A transition plate 78 may be used to join a first end of the first set of cords 74, 76 to a first end of the second set of cords 70, 72. A first set of pegs 80, 82 and a second set of pegs 84, 86 may be used to guide the first set of cords away from the area occupied by the plate 78. The transition plate 78 may include a peg on its back-side (not shown) to engage the slot 36 shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] A second end of the first set of cords 74, 76 may be joined to pegs 52, 54 on opposing corners of the moveable carriage 16. A second end of the second set of cords 70, 72 may be joined to the opposing, bottom end of the clip 10.

[0034] The resilient cord combination of FIG. 5 is shown in a position that it would occupy with the clip 10 full of cartridges 14. Similar to the manner of use of FIG. 4, the plate 78 could be used as an indicator of remaining cartridges 14 within the clip 10.

[0035]FIG. 6 illustrates a further variation of FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, the cords 70, 72 may be moved to one side of the pocket and a single relatively inelastic cord 90 may be routed along the other side. The cord 90 on the front and back of the clip 10 may engage pegs 96 in diagonal corners of the moveable carriage 16.

[0036]FIG. 7 illustrates another variation over FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, the combination resilient cord is replaced by a continuous cord lo of a constant elasticity (resilience). As shown in FIG. 7, the cord 100 extends from a connection 96 with the carriage 16 to a stationary connection with the opposing end of the clip 10 over a series of loop-back pegs 102, 104, 106, 108. FIG. 7 serves the important function of demonstrating a method by which resilient materials having a relatively high modulus of elasticity, but a relatively low proportion of allowable stretch may be used in conjunction with the clip 10. FIGS. 8-11 provide additional examples along the same lines.

[0037]FIG. 12 depicts a clip 10 that may be adapted for use within a handgun where the clip 10 fits inside a handle of the gun 104. As shown, the clip 10 is surrounded by a coil spring 102 disposed against a bottom of the clip and pressing upwards. A relatively inelastic cord 106 is fixed on a first end to the opposing end of the clip and extends around a top loop of the sprint 102 to engage the carrier 16 on a second end of the cord 106. The coil spring 102 may slidingly engage the cord 106 between the first and second ends and function to pull the carrier upwards towards the breech of the gun.

[0038]FIG. 13 depicts another embodiment where the spring 110 may extend around an inner wall of the clip 10 and where a handle of the gun may provide an outer protecting wall. Alternatively, the spring 110 may form a zig-zag shape and be disposed between the inner and outer walls on one or both ends. An inelastic cord 112 may be fixed to the clip at a center point and to the carrier 16 at its ends. The coil spring 110 may slidingly engage the cord 112 between the first and second ends and function to pull the carrier upwards towards the breech of the gun.

[0039] A specific embodiment of a gun clip according to the present invention has been described for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention is made and used. It should be understood that the implementation of other variations and modifications of the invention and its various aspects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that the invention is not limited by the specific embodiments described. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention any and all modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein. 

1. An ammunition clip for supplying cartridges to a gun, said ammunition clip comprising; an elongated housing having an internal chamber for holding a plurality of laterally aligned cartridges, said elongated housing having a gun engagement end and an opposing end; a moveable carriage disposed within the internal chamber for urging the aligned cartridges towards the gun engagement end; and a resilient member coupled to the moveable carriage and adapted to pull the moveable carriage towards the gun engagement end.
 2. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the resilient member further comprises a flexible cord.
 3. The ammunition clip as in claim 2 wherein the flexible cord further comprises an elongated coil spring.
 4. The ammunition clip as in claim 2 wherein the flexible cord further comprises a rubber band.
 5. The ammunition clip as in claim 2 wherein the flexible cord further comprises a bungie cord.
 6. The ammunition clip as in claim 2 further comprising a set of opposing attachment ends of the flexible cord secured to the elongated housing with a center section of the flexible cord extending around a portion of the moveable carriage.
 7. The ammunition clip as in claim 6 wherein the moveable carriage further comprises a pair of resilient member engagement pegs extending from opposing ends of the moveable carriage and adapted to engage the center section of the flexible cord.
 8. The ammunition clip as in claim 6 further comprising a pair of attachment points connecting the opposing attachment ends of the flexible cord to the gun engagement end of the elongated housing with the flexible cord tracing a V-shape between opposing attachment points.
 9. The ammunition clip as in claim 6 further comprising a pair of attachment points connecting the opposing attachment ends of the flexible cord to the opposing end of the elongated housing.
 10. The ammunition clip as in claim 6 further comprising a pair of loop retention pegs disposed on the gun engagement end of the elongated housing with said pair of loop retention pegs engaging the flexible cord on each side of the center point and between the center point and opposing attachment ends.
 11. The ammunition clip as in claim 2 further comprising a set of opposing attachment ends of the flexible cord secured to the moveable carriage with a center section of the flexible cord coupled to the opposing end of the elongated clip.
 12. The ammunition clip as in claim 11 wherein the moveable carriage further comprises a pair of resilient member engagement pegs extending from each opposing end of the moveable carriage and adapted to engage the opposing attachment ends of the flexible cord.
 13. The ammunition clip as in claim 11 further comprising an attachment point connecting a center point of the flexible cord to the opposing end of the elongated housing with the flexible cord tracing a V-shape between opposing attachment points when the ammunition clip is empty and an M-shape when the clip is full.
 14. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 wherein the moveable carriage further comprises a pair of engagement pegs extending from each opposing end of the moveable carriage, where the pair of engagement pegs on each end being adapted to engage opposing attachment ends of a flexible cord.
 15. The ammunition clip as in claim 14 further comprising the resilient member connecting a center point of the flexible cord on opposing sides of the elongated housing.
 16. The ammunition clip as in claim 1 further comprising a first loop-back peg on a gun engagement end of the housing.
 17. The ammunition clip as in claim 16 wherein the resilient member further comprising a first opposing end coupled to the moveable carriage, a second opposing end coupled to the opposite end of the elongated housing and a middle portion engaging the loop-back peg.
 18. The ammunition clip as in claim 17 further comprising a second loop-back peg on an opposing end of the housing.
 19. The ammunition clip as in claim 16 wherein the resilient member further comprising a first opposing end coupled to the moveable carriage, a second opposing end coupled to the gun engagement end of the elongated housing and a middle portion extended over the first and a second loop-back peg.
 20. The ammunition clip as in claim 17 further comprising a third loop-back peg on the gun engaging end of the housing.
 21. The ammunition clip as in claim 20 wherein the resilient member further comprising a first opposing end coupled to the moveable carriage, a second opposing end coupled to the opposing end of the elongated housing and 4 a middle portion extended over the first, second and third loop-back pegs. 